Reception for Members of the IOC at Buckingham Palace

Queen Elizabeth hosted a reception for members of the International Olympic Committee today. The Monarch invited IOC representatives from around the world to Buckingham Palace to welcome them to London. During the reception, Count Jacques Rogge, President of the IOC, made a speech, then presented the Queen with a set of Olympic medals.

Her Majesty also addressed her guests, welcoming them to London. The Queen said: “In the coming days over 10,000 athletes from more than 200 nations will be undertaking their final preparations following years of dedication, hard work and personal sacrifice. We send our warm wishes to them all for rewarding and enjoyable games.”

View image at link

Several members of the British Royal Family attended the event to support the Queen, including the Duke of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and Princess Alexandra. They weren’t the only royals in attendance, however; a number of foreign Royals with IOC roles were there too, among them Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Crown Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands. A separate reception for the Royals attending the Olympics will take place on July 27.

From Buckingham Palace, the IOC officials moved on to the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden for the opening ceremony of the 124th IOC Session. The official opening ceremony for the London Olympic Games will take place on July 27; most senior British Royals, and quite a few foreign ones, are expected to attend.